AU613282B1 - Automatic test apparatus for electric cars - Google Patents

Description

1 3282 Form COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPIETE SPECIFICATION FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: TEITO RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY AND MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA 19-6 Higasi Ueno 3-chome, Taito-ku, TOKYO, JAPAN and 2-3 Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, TOKYO, JAPAN, respectively Takashi Suzuki; Hidekazu Asakawa; Yoshinobu Kurokawa; Seisaku Tate and Yasuo Takahashi GRIFFITH HACK CO 71 YORK STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: AUTOMATIC TEST APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC CARS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 21630-A:COS:RK L 1- 0117 AUTOMATIC TEST APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC CARS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION: The present invention relates to an automatic test apparatus for electric cars, used in a maintenance factory and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART: Fig. 2 shows a conventional automatic test apparatus for electric cars which is disclosed in the papers of the Railway Cybernetics Symposium 1976, pp 35g. A device or devices 2 to tested, such as an ATC device ATC, a brake device BR or a chopper device CH, are fitted on each car of an electric train 1.

A computer room 10 is equipped with a computer 11 for controlling and conducting a test of the devices 2, a terminal device 12 connected to the computer 11, an auxiliary memory device 13 connected to the computer 11 and a PIO (process input/output device) 14 for the computer 11. The terminal device 12 comprises a console or an I/O typewriter, while the auxiliary memory device 13 comprises a magnetic disc or a magnetic dram.

An operating room 15, in which an operator is permanently stationed, is equipped with a console 16 connected to the computer 11 and the PIO 14, and a logging typewriter 17 connected to the computer 11 for outputting.

In a machinery room 20 adjacent to the computer room 10, a i i. L _i il selecting relay box 21 connected to the PIO 14 and the console 16, and a plurality of testers 22 connected to the ielecting relay box 21 are arranged. The PIO 14 and the selecting relay box 21 are connected to each other through lines of the PIO 14.

The number of PIO 14 lines reaches as many as several tens since about 2500 I/O signals are required. The testers 22 correspond to each kind of device 2 to be tested. That is, the testers 22 include one for an ATC device, one for a brake device, one for a chopper device and so on. Each tester 22 includes a generator outputting equivalent signals to the corresponding devices 2.

Each equivalent signal generator has a signal outputting function and a measurement signal inputting function of the same number of channels as the number of corresponding devices 2.

For example, an equivalent signal genera+or for ATC devices which are fitted to the first car and the end car of the electric train 1 would have two channels, while one for the brake devices which are fitted to all six cars of the train 1 would have six channels.

A field pit 30, which is connected to the machinery room through I/O lines 26, is provided with a plurality of connection boxes 31 to 36 corresponding to six cars of the train 1. Each of the connection boxes 31 to 36 includes an insulating transformer for converting an equivalent signal into a test voltage and connects the I/O lines 26 and the devices 2 to be tested via test cables Next, the operation of the conventional automatic test apparatus shown in Fig. 2 will be described. When a switch on -2i- the console 16 for calling up each kind of test is pushed, a call signal is input to the computer 11 via the PIO 14, and the test items are displayed on a CRT of the console 16. Then, the operator operates a keyboard to input a test item code number and select a test item. Subsequently, the operator pushes a test start switch to command the computer 11 to begin the test.

The computer 11 reads an operational program from the auxiliary memory device 13, generates a signal designating the particular tester 22 to be controlled, a test condition data signal, a test start signal and so on, and outputs these signals to the selecting relay box 21 through the PIO 14.

The selecting relay box 21 distributes and amplifies these input signals to drive the equivalent signal generator in the designated tester 22. Test signals generated by the tester 22 are supplied to the devices 2 to be tested through the I/O lines 26, the connection boxes 31 to 36 and the test cables Measurement signals from the devices 2 to be tested are input to th;- computer 11 through the reverse route as that described above. Then, the success or failure of each of the devices 2 is judged by the computer 11 on the basis of the measurement signals, and the result of that judgment is displayed on the CRT of the console 16. The tested data are thereafter recorded in the auxiliary memory device 13, displayed or printed out on the terminal device 12 and printed out on the logging typewriter 17.

As described above, in the conventional automatic test apparatus, only one computer 11 controls and conducts the test, -3- I _c 4 and measurement data from the devices 2 to be tested are indicated only in the operating room 15 or the computer room This gives rise to the following problems: Since a large number of wirings between the computer room 10 and the field pit 30 and wirings arranged in the field pit 30 are required, the labor and costs necessary to install the apparatus are large.

When one car of the train 1 fails the test, the other cars must remain idle while more detailed measurement data is obtained by changing the test conditions.

Since the transmission of data or signals between the computer 11 and the testers 22 is performed by the PIO 14, measurement data from the devices 2 cannot be obtained except after the lapse of a given period of time from the start of the test. Hence, it is impossible to process a change of data at high speed while in the transient state.

Only the operator in the operating room 15 can monitor the test results and a supervisor in the field pit watching the operation of the devices 2 to be tested must use wireless communication to be find out the test results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised to solve the abovementioned problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic test apparatus for electric cars which is capable of conducting tests at high speed and high efficiency -4- ]i" Swhile reducing costs.

i An automatic test apparatus for electric cars of the present invention comprises: a control computer for controlling i tests; a console connected to said control computer; a plurality of measuring units, each of which corresponds to a car unit having at least one electric car, for measuring the devices to be tested which are fitted to each car unit; a plurality of implementation computers connected to said measuring units for implementing their respective tests; a plurality of display devices connected to said implementation computers respectively; and a coupling means for coupling said control computer and said implementation computers with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an automatic test apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a conventional automatic test apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be explained hereinunder with reference to the accompanying drawing. In Fig.

1, each car 3 of an electric train 1 has a device or devices 2 to be tested, such as an ATC device ATC, a brake device BR, a chopper device CH and so on. Every two cars 3 form a car unit 4, that is, a train 1 of six cars 3 includes three car units 4.

A computer room 10 is provided with a control computer 41 for controlling a test, a terminal device 12 and an auxiliary memory device 13 each of which is connected to the control computer 41. The terminal device 12 is formed comprises a console or an I/O typewriter, while the auxiliary memory device 13 comprises a magnetic disc or a magnetic dram, An operating room 15, in which an operator is permanently stationed, is equipped with a console 16 and a logging typewriter 17 connected to the control computer 41.

A field pit 30 is provided with measuring units 37 to 39 each of which corresponds to one car unit 4 of the train 1 and is connected to the devices 2 to be tested via test cables implementation computers 42 to 44 connected to the corresponding measuring units 37 to 39 via general purpose interface buses (GPIB) 60, and display devices 45 to 47 connected to the corresponding implementation computers 42 to 44 respectively.

The display devices 45 to 47 can be constructed by consoles or terminal devices.

Each of the measuring units 37 to 39 includes a generator outputting equivalent signals to the corresponding devices 2 to be tested, a measuring device and an insulating transformer.

Specifically, a programmable generator (PGN) is used as the equivalent signal generator, while a data logger or an insulation resistance tester is used as the measuring device.

The control computer 41 and the implementation computers 42 to 44 are connected with each other by a data way 50. The data way 50 comprises a terminal 51 connected to the control computer 41, terminals 52 to 54 connected to the implementation computers 42 to 44 respectively and a circuit 55, which is -6- L -I formed from optical fibers or coaxial cables, connecting the terminals 51 to 54 with each other.

Next, the operation of the automatic test apparatus shown in Fig. 1 will be described. The control computer 41, by utilizing the auxiliary memory device 13, manages a program for running the implementation computers 42 to 44, testing procedures, success/failure standards for the devices 2 to be tested, and a file for storing the results of N tests. When the apparatus is powered for conducting tests, the control computer 41 reads an operational program from the auxilieary memory device 13 and transmits it to the implementation computers 42 to 44 by the down line loading method. This operational program includes the testing procedures to be implemented by the implementation computers 42 to 44 and the success/failure standards.

Selecting tables are transmitted consecutively to the console 16 in the operating room 15. Accordingly, the operator, while consulting the CRT of the console i6, is able to dialogically set initial conditions, select the indication of the test results, change the success/failure standards, set test patterns, select the indication of a trend graph and so on, by specifying a code on a keyboard or operating a writing pen.

Meanwhile, while referring to the results indicated on the display devices 45 to 47, a supervisor in the field pit inputs by hand from the consoles constructing the display devices 45 to 47 instructions of various operations, especially instructions to set new conditions and implement retests in case of a "fail" result.

I I Al .1 The initial conditions set by the operator relate to a component number of the particular car 3 fitting with the devices 2 to be tested, a wheel size, weather conditions, test purpose (an inspection of new cars, an investigation of an accident, or a periodical inspection), the type of test to be conducted (overall test or partial test) and so forth. These conditions are input to the control computer 41 and then transmitted from the control computer 41 through the terminals 51 to 54 and the circuit 55 of the data way 50 so as to be input to the implementation computers 42 to 44.

For example, in an overall test, when the kind of devices 2 to be tested (ATC, BR, CH and so on) is selected through the console 16, the control computer 41 transmits a test number to the implementation computers 42 to 44. The implementation computers 42 to 44 act _2 accordance with a program describing the testing procedure corresponding to that test number, so that the implementation computers 42 to 44 command the measuring units 37 to 39 to generate equivalent signals, thereby commencing measurement.

In each of the measuring units 37 to 39, the equivalent signals generated by the PGN are output to the devices 2 on the cars via the insulating transformer, while the operating waveforms at measuring points in the devices 2 are input by high speed sampling via a plurality of channels to the data logger which acts as a measuring device. The measuring units 37 to 39 are voluntarily controlled by the implementation computers 42 to 44 through the GPIBs 60, respectively. The measurement data I i I L u -U ~1 .LL i -1 I sampled are input to the implementation computers 42 to 44 from the data loggers through the GPIBs The implementation computers 42 to 44 judge the success or failure of the devices 2 on thre basis of the measurement data from the data loggers and indicate the measurement data and the test results on the display devices 45 to 47 so as to exhibit them to the supervisor in the field pit 30. At this time, as occasion demands, the operating waveforms of the transient state are indicated to the supervisor by a trend graph. In addition, the measurement data and the the results are transmitted to the control computer 41 and indicated on the CRT of the console 16.

When the result of a test is "failure", either the operator or the supervisor can command the implementation of a retest or a further test concerning other test items by handsetting conditions through the console 16 in the operating room or the consoles constituting the display devices 45 to 47 in the field pit' 30. At this time, since a plurality of implementation computers 42 to 44 are provided, each of which corresponds to every car unit 4 of the train 1, if one of the implementation computers 42 to 44 is implementing a retest, the others can proceed with the test without interruption.

The control computer 41 stores the measurement dat: transmitted from the implementation computers 42 to 44, and compiles them after the conclusion of the tests so as to print out the results on the logging typewriter 17.

When the whole of the train 1 is tested in an overall test, the control computer 41 regulates the implementation -9computers 42 to 44 so that they are synchronized with each other, and thereafter imp)ements the test. On the other hand, in a partial test, test blocks i.e. devices 2 to be tested, test items, and the cars 3 to be tested are selected from the console 16. Accordingly, the implementation computers 42 to 44 can implement different tests respectively in accordance with the selected test items or the respective devices 2 to be tested, that is ATC, CH, or BR.

As described above, in the automatic test apparatus according to this embodiment, the data way 50 and the GPIBs are used to construct a distributed computer system and the display devices 45 to 47 are provided in the field pit 30 so that the supervisor can view the measurement results.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce installation costs and to improve the efficiency of automatic tests. That is, an automatic test apparatus for electric car having the following advantages can be achieved; I) The number of wirings between the computer room 10 and the field pit 30 and wirings arranged in the field pit 30 can be reduced, II) Since the car units 4 are able to be tested independently from each other, the time required in tests is reduced. In addition, when the whole of the train 1 is tested, it is possible to synchronize the car units 4, III) Operating waveforms of a transient state can be displayed by high speed data processing, IV) It is possible to recognize detailed data of measurement results in realtime in both the field pit 30 and the operating room Although the data way 50 is used for coupling the control computer 41 and the implementation computers 42 to 44 in the above-described embodiment, a bus-type local area network (LAN) or a ring-type LAN may also be used instead.

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Claims (7)

1. An automatic test apparatus for electric cars, the electric cars having devices to be tested, comprising: a control computer for controlling tests; a console connected to said control computer; a plurality of measuring units, each of which corresponds to a car unit having at least one electric car, for measuring the devices to be tested which are fitted to each car unit; a plurality of implementation computers connected to said measuring units for implementing their respective tests; a plurality of display devices connected to said implementation computers respectively; and a coupling means for coupling said control computer and said implementation computers each other.

2. An automatic test apparatus according to Claim 1 further comprising a plurality of general purpose interface buses connecting between said measuring units and said implementation computers respectively.

3. An automatic test apparatus according to Claim 1 further comprising a plurality of test cables connecting between said measuring units and the devices to be tested provided on the respective car units. An automatic test apparatus according to Claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary memory device connected to said control computer for storing a program running said implementation computers. An automatic test apparatus according to Claim 1 -12- .il'-'.CCI C -Y -I wherein each of said measuring units includes a generator for outputting equivalent signals to the devices to be tested, a measuring device for inputting signals from the devices to be tested, and an insulating transformer for converting the equivalent signals into test voltages.

6. An automatic test apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said coupling means is a data way.

7. An automatic test apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said coupling means is a bus-type LAN.

8. An automatic test apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said coupling means is a ring-type LAN.

9. An automatic test apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 5th day of December 1990 TEITO RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY and MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA By their Patent Attorney GRIFFITH HACK CO. -13-